Montreal Canadiens News: Nick Suzuki, Contract Extension, Habs, NHL, Rocket Sports Media
Eight-Year Contract Extension for Nick Suzuki
Montreal Canadiens Media Release
MONTREAL, QC – The Montreal Canadiens announced Tuesday that 22-year-old Nick Suzuki has signed an eight-year contract extension. The deal secures the forward with the Habs through the 2029-30 season and is valued at $63 million ($7.875 AAV).
Per Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, “We are very happy to secure Nick’s services for the next eight seasons.”
The Nick Suzuki #habs extension came after a couple weeks of negotiations. The contract includes a 10-team no-trade list.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 12, 2021
A new member of Montreal’s leadership group, Suzuki appeared in 56 regular season games last season (15G/26A). He then led the team with 16 points in their postseason run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Value on Security
The Canandiens acquired Suzuki in 2018, along with Tomas Tatar and a 2019 second-round draft pick, from the Vegas Golden Knights. In return, Vegas received then-captain Max Pacioretty.
The price tag to extend Suzuki comes in slightly higher than Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov, who signed for the same term but at $7.75 million AAV in August.
A little rich for Nick Suzuki as an RFA, but a number he has an okay chance of living up to. He has high-end 1C upside and his deal could be a steal if he gets there. pic.twitter.com/JsobFHsQdU
— dom at the athletic (@domluszczyszyn) October 12, 2021
The higher price tag not only indicates the organization’s confidence in the continued upward-progression of their top centreman, but also provides security next summer to avoid another offer sheet situation like the organization experienced this offseason with Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
History of Excellence
Suzuki was a first-round draft pick (13th overall) by the Golden Knights in 2017. He has played in 127 regular-season games in his three-year NHL career, scoring 28 goals and 54 assists. He’s also been key in postseason play, recording 11 goals and 12 assists in 32 career playoff games. In 2019-20, Nick was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team.
During a four-year stint in the OHL (Owen Sound Attack, Guelph Storm), Suzuki was named the league’s Most Sportsmenlike Player in three consecutive years. In his final junior hockey year, he was named OHL Playoffs MVP after helping to lead Guelph to a championship and scoring the most assists (26) and points (42) league-wide in the 2019 postseason.
By Amy Johnson, Lead Correspondent
All Habs Hockey Magazine
Copyright © 2021 Rocket Sports
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